tcs

#2 ranked soph in the nation? What's your source on that?

Everybody, PLEASE stop complaining about Tyler Smith being the #3 prospect in the sophomore class. Being ranked #3 in the sophomore class in the state of Tennessee is NOT a bad thing. Gomab's rankings are one man's opinion, and he is entitled to his own opinion. Maybe he's right, maybe he's wrong. End of story.

Give it up. Being ranked the #3 sophomore in the state IS NOT an insult. You should know that.

That's not to say that Smith can't be a better player. Remember, these guys are only sophomores. It's more difficult to predict college potential for guys who just finished their sophomore year than, say, for guys who just finished their senior year.

Anybody know what to expect this season?

Dewayne Robertson, #4 pick in this year's NFL draft (to the Jets) is from Melrose High... played college ball at Kentucky.

Lorenzen Wright went to Booker T. Washington in Memphis.

He's in jail.

Who exactly is "the Bear"? Don Haskins? He retired and has absolutely no connection to Tennessee.

Pro basketball in SPAIN... we're not talking about the NBA here.

Since most of the private schools that currently play in Division I are in Class A (with a few in AA), more schools would move down than up in order to balance out the divisions.

Ballin, I agree with you that the SEC was big-time, but I don't think that's what was meant by the statement. Big-time, NATIONAL programs is more what was meant. Ever notice how little Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, etc., rely on in-state talent? Most SEC teams (Kentucky being the exception) recruit primarily from the Southeast... thus a good ballplayer receiving interest from a few SEC schools would not be unusual. On the other hand, high-profile programs like Duke and Kansas basically have their pick of the cream of the crop in each recruiting class. Receiving interest from one of these schools would generally mean that the player in question is VERY good.

Do tell, what did this post add to this debate?

As usual, a Giles County fan overrating Tyler Smith. What's new?

Just wondering how Brian Carter, third-team all-state and a finalist for Mr. Basketball, is not on your Top 100 seniors list, not even honorable mention. That struck me as odd.

Pretty ridiculous. Giles County vs. SVSM is not an even matchup. SVSM has dismantled some of the top teams in the nation by more than you people think they would beat GC by.

I've heard of instances of coaches making players pay a few cents for missing free throws, etc. (It was in the movie/book Hoop Dreams) I don't see why that would be legal and giving the players a dollar wouldn't.

To quote Ted himself: "We'll play our way." Hamilton plays their style of play VERY well. Ted Anderson just doesn't know how to adjust when his style isn't working. Hamilton's talent is often enough to get them through their district, finish second in their district, and win the sectional. But when they get to state, they choke. Hamilton's 2001 team was definitely more talented than Bartlett's and Bartlett dominated. And can anyone forget that loss in the first round of district in 1998 to 2-26 South Side?

I agree White Station's the favorite, but I was at the game and I don't think it's a given that they'll win it all. Bartlett didn't play their best game and came pretty close to beating White Station... Chase Hardin hit a shot that would have cut it to 2 with about two minutes left, but he got called for charging on a call that could have gone either way (and should have been a no-call, IMO.) White Station's definitely beatable, and there are teams in AAA that could give them a game.

I wouldn't doubt it, given there aren't a lot of freshman duos. I saw BA play Bartlett over Christmas and Bone looked like the better player, but Wright (obviously) has a lot more potential. That's a team I wouldn't want to play in 2004.

That's a problem, but it's not the main problem. The postseason should be single elimination, no second chances. I don't favor going back to a classless system, but maybe having two classes (plus private schools) instead of three.

I doubt ETSU will be a #16 seed, to be honest. I've got them pegged as a 14 or more likely a 15.

We may have had some ideas on this before, but I think it's time TSSAA changes its playoff system. The current system has many problems, chief among these: 1. A team can lose three games and make it to the state tournament. This rarely happens, but it's possible. The postseason would be more exciting if it had a "win-or-die" element to it. 2. Many teams are seeded directly into the region tournament since their districts have fewer than eight teams (some even have four teams, and all four are guaranteed a spot in the region tournament.) So these teams are playing two games that are essentially meaningless. My idea is to seed teams directly into the region tournament and cut out the district tournament altogether. This would make the regular season a little more meaningful as well (those who don't finish in the top four in their district wouldn't play in the postseason.) Keep the sectional/sub-state game, though--this would allow two teams from the same region to go to state if both were deserving. Comments and other ideas are welcome.

But it should be called sub-state. The "sectional tournament" was only in place for 1999 and 2000... after that they returned to the old "sub-state" format, but still refer to it as "Sectionals." I'm confused as well.

We already know that your Sectional IV predictions are wrong; Dyersburg beat Bartlett tonight to win Region 7. Assuming White Station takes care of business in their region, I think Dyersburg has a good shot at making it to state. The Memphis and Shelby County teams agreed to play their sectional games at the Mid-South Coliseum; however, the rest of West Tennessee did not, so Region 8's runnerup will have to travel to Dyersburg. I would have disagreed on your prediction that Hamilton would beat Bartlett, but now that's pretty much a moot point.